Widely distributed in most of the temperate and subtropical
forests; saprobic; grows in shelf-like clusters usually on dead
logs and living trees (primarily hardwoods). As the tree dies
oyster mushroom will start growing on it and actually helps to
decompose the wood and thus returns important elements and minerals
to ecosystem. It causes a white rot. Oyster mushroom is one of the
few known carnivorous mushrooms kill nematodes and bacteria with
impunity[1],[2].

Morphology:

Cap is 4-15 cm; convex, flat or somewhat depressed,
kidney-shaped to fan-shaped, or nearly circular if growing on the
tops of logs; young and fresh fruiting bodies, somewhat greasy and
smooth with incurved margin; pale brown to dark brown in color.
Flesh is white, firm and varies in thickness. Gills are closely
spaced; white or with a gray tinge, at maturity become yellowish.
Stem is rudimentary and lateral or absent when the mushroom is
growing from the side of a tree. However, it develops thick and dry
stem and slightly hairy near the base when grows on the top of
branches2.

Culinary value:

Pleurotus ostreatus is an edible and delicious
mushroom. It is are frequently used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese
cooking. It is mild in taste and odor and similar to anise. It is a
good source of protein, potassium, fiber and carbohydrates and also
many vitamins and minerals such as calcium, niacin, sodium, and
vitamins B5 and D. They taste best when young, as it ages, flesh
becomes tough and tastes unpleasant and acrid flavor. Though it is
edible, few people are allergic to it. It contains small amount of
arabitol and sugar alcohol which causes gastrointestinal
problems[3].

Medicinal importance:

1.Pleurotus ostreatus is mentioned to
have anticancer, antioxidant, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial,
antidiabetic, antihypercholesterolic, anti-arthritic and eye
health. Though there are limited direct human intervention trials,
in vitro and in vivo animal studies describe a possible range of
health benefits[4].

2.Lovastatin, a naturally produced compound by
ostreatus is well-documented for its activity of reducing
blood cholesterol. Ubiquitin proteins present in these mushrooms
have antiviral and even anti-HIV properties. Studies have also
shown the effect of oyster mushroom rich diets to inhibit tumor
growth and protect from chemicals that induce colon cancer3.

Industrial importance:

1.Laccase is receiving importance because of
multi industrial applications and its environmental benefits. It is
used in environmental bioremediation, food and biochemical
industries, health and medical sectors. Pleurotusostreatus is used for cost effective production of this
enzyme and various parameters were studied to standardize the
procedure using solid state fermentation. The results obtained here
can be used as a baseline for large scale production of
laccase[5].

2.The research has proved the ability of
ostreatus to decolorize and degrade azo dye, Synazol Red.
And hence it is a promising candidate for color removal from
textile wastewater containing azo dyes[6].

Unique features:

Lack of information

Interesting facts:

1.Pleurotus ostreatus adapts to a
wide range of substrate material3.

2.Pleurotus ostreatus is proposed as
an insulating material and substitute for polystyrene packing
material using the mycelium along with the growing
substrate[7].

1.Pleurotus ostreatus production
method was developed by using biogas residue. It is a convenient,
simple and low cost method[8].

2.Pleurotus ostreatus culture method
was developed. It was prepared from multiple waste materials so
that pollution can be reduced. At the same time cellulose, lignin,
amino acid and trace elements required for growth and development
can also be provided. Furthermore, the culture medium contains
multiple traditional Chinese herbal medicinal ingredients, so that
the cultured ostreatus has a healthy effect[9].

3.Pleurotus ostreatus culture medium
is prepared from Aquilaria sinensis wood dust. Multiple
wastes are used as the main raw materials along with the chili
powder which has the bactericidal effect and can enhance the
disease prevention and resisting capacity of the edible fungus, so
that ostreatus has favorable growth vigor and high
yield[10].

Review of publications:

1.Use of agro industrial wastes to grow
ostreatus which in turn lead to increased production of
laccase, MnP, Mip and ß-glucosidase. Thus, the use of agricultural
wastes can help to solve environmental problems caused by
inadequate discharge in the nature[11].

2.Pleurotus ostreatus was tested for
cellulase production by solid state fermentation and considered as
efficient source for cellulase. Further research may help in
eco-friendly production of bioethanol[12].

4.The antioxidative and antimicrobial
properties of ostreatus were evaluated when they were
cultivated on banana agro wastes. The study concluded that banana
agro waste could be a significant economic source for the
cultivation[14].

[5] Kumari J, Negi S (2014)
Development of bioprocess for the production of laccase by
Pleurotusostreatus MTCC 1802 using evolutionary
optimization technique. Indian journal of experimental biology, 52:
1106-1111

[6] Hashmi S, Quazi S
(2013) Potential role of Pleurotusostreatus in
the decolorization and detoxification of the dye Synozol red.
International journal of current microbiology and applied sciences,
2(6): 106-112